Trinity High School students, from left, Michael Toomey, Pierce Gilman, Molly Hayden and Emily Dion place a cross in front of the Manchester high school on Friday during a prayer service for peace in Syria. (DAVID LANE/UNION LEADER)

"I think it's great and we're thinking of other people and helping the community come closer together for peace," he said.

Pope Francis urged the international community to seek a negotiated solution to the conflict in Syria and announced on Sunday that he would lead a worldwide day of prayer for peace in the country today.

Francis condemned the use of chemical weapons, blamed by Western powers on Syrian government forces, but added: "war, never again". The United States and France are considering military action against Damascus in response to the chemical attack.

The Pope asked the 1.2 billion Roman Catholics around the world to pray today for peace in Syria and said he would lead a special service at the Vatican.

He invited other Christians, members of other religions and all "people of good will" to join the Catholic initiative today in any way they saw fit.

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